POPE, WITH REAGAN, URGES AN END TO ARMS RACE

By GERALD M. BOYD, Special to the New York Times

Published: June 7, 1987

ROME, June 6—
Pope John Paul II made a new appeal for an end to the arms race today, telling President Reagan in a Vatican meeting that that would liberate ''immense resources that can be used to alleviate misery and feed millions of hungry human beings.''

In turn, Mr. Reagan told the Pope it was time wealthier nations took up his challenge to share with those less fortune.

But the President said the obligation was not just to provide economic aid, but to promote ''the moral causes of prosperity,'' among which he listed hard work, honesty, initative and thrift.

The two leaders made their public comments after a private meeting that last nearly an hour. Vatican and American officials said the meeting had focused on disarmament, East-West relations, the Middle East, Central America and North-South cooperation.

Mr. Reagan, who spoke first, did not respond directly to John Paul's remarks on the arms race. The White House spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater, said the President had addressed the issue in the private audience, informing the Pope that he was ''optimistic'' about an arms control agreement with Moscow. But Mr. Fitzwater said what Mr. Reagan said precisely was uncertain since the two leaders were the only ones present. Lunch With Italian Leaders

The President also commented on East-West relations later at a lunch with Italy's President, Francesco Cossiga, and the caretaker Prime Minister, Amintore Fanfani, held at Castel Porziano southwest of Rome.

''The President indicated our interests with the Soviets will continue to conflict, but we will continue to work for arms reductions,'' Mr. Fitzwater said.